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Arrest made in connection with death of Princeton jogger Vanessa Marcotte

Suspect arrested in Worcester

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Updated: 10:18 PM CDT Apr 15, 2017

Arrest made in connection with death of Princeton jogger Vanessa Marcotte

Suspect arrested in Worcester

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Updated: 10:18 PM CDT Apr 15, 2017

Arrest made in connection with death of Princeton jogger Vanessa Marcotte

Suspect arrested in Worcester

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Updated: 10:18 PM CDT Apr 15, 2017

PRINCETON, Mass. —

An arrest has been made in connection to the death of Vanessa Marcotte, authorities confirmed.

The suspect, identified as Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, was taken into custody early Saturday in Worcester.

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"We got him," Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said during a press conference Saturday afternoon.

Marcotte's family released a statement Saturday evening thanking the Worcester County District Attorney's Office, the Massachusetts State Police, the Princeton Police Department and the entire community.

"After eight long months, we're able to take the first step toward justice for Vanessa," the family's statement said. "She was a beautiful, intelligent, and generous young woman whose passion for giving back to the community will always be remembered."

Authorities said they were able to take Colon-Ortiz into custody with the help of an alert state trooper, who spotted a dark-colored SUV in Worcester being driven by a man matching the description of Marcotte's alleged killer.

The trooper wrote down the license plate of the vehicle and followed up by obtaining DNA from Colon-Ortiz the next day. Early said the DNA match was confirmed Friday.

Authorities said Colon-Ortiz is being held by state police in Millbury pending his arraignment in Leominster Tuesday. He is facing charges of aggravated assault and battery and aggravated assault with intent to rape. He is not yet charged with murder.

Marcotte, 27, was found not far from her family home off Brooks Station Road on the evening of Aug. 7, 2016. Her hands, feet and part of her head were burned, sources said.

Marcotte was an account manager for Google in New York City. She grew up in Leominster and graduated from Boston University.

In February, Early said DNA evidence had led them to develop the profile of a person of interest in the case.

Officials said they were searching for a Hispanic man with an athletic build and average height. He had a shaved head or short hair on the day of the murder and is about 30 years old. A dark-colored SUV was seen in the area around the time Marcotte was killed, Early said.

Authorities received thousands of tips related to the case.

The family said "her spirit will live on through The Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation that strives to empower women to live boldly and fearlessly."